Jason and Jessica Colman’s house had been subjected to a close forensic scrutiny. No evidence had been found to suggest that anyone other than Daisy’s parents and grandparents had been in the nursery. Having excluded other possibilities, forensic evidence indicated that it could only have been a member of the family who had removed the baby from her cot. Jessica claimed she had woken in the morning to discover the baby had gone. If she was telling the truth, then her husband, mother or father must be responsible for abducting or killing the baby. But Jessica could have been lying when she said the baby had been stolen from her cot.

Over a week had passed since Daisy had allegedly disappeared from home, and with every passing hour the likelihood that she would be found safe and well was growing more remote. The media had got hold of the story and were posting daily updates online, and the situation was being reported in the national news. On her way to speak to Jessica, Geraldine found a group of reporters waiting outside the Colmans’ house, hoping to hear some news. A woman in a long black coat darted forward to intercept her as she approached the gate.

‘Has the baby been found?’ the reporter demanded in a strident voice. ‘The public have a right to know what’s happened.’

Geraldine strode past her without pausing to respond. She could just imagine the furore when they discovered that not only Jessica’s father but also her husband had been found murdered. For now the media were focused on the missing baby, but that could change at any time. Meanwhile, the black-coated reporter pushed in front of her.

‘Wait just a minute,’ she cried out shrilly. ‘You can’t ignore us. We have our job to do, the same as you. Some of us have been standing here all morning, waiting for an update. What’s happening in there?’

Geraldine manoeuvred her way past the woman and went through the gate, closing it firmly behind her. When the reporter pushed the gate open, Geraldine’s patience finally ran out. She turned to face the woman, closing the gate between them again as she spoke.

‘If you take one step on to this property, you’ll be arrested for trespass, causing a public nuisance, and wilful obstruction of a police investigation, any one of which could cost your paper a fine.’ She raised her voice so that the other reporters could hear her. ‘Unless you want to find yourselves in trouble with the police, I suggest you go back to your desks, all of you, and wait for a press briefing.’ She turned back to the reporter who had accosted her. ‘Off you go.’

‘We need to ask you a few questions first,’ the reporter replied, standing her ground on the pavement, but not opening the gate.